Grounded and elevated are often felt post Yoga feelings, well captured by this stunning sunset I was lucky to catch a few weeks ago.

So, while not a seasoned yogi, I was glad to find opportunities to practice shortly after moving to the Bay Area: the spiritual and physical gains from a session are always invaluable. In parallel, I met Silvie Hibdon. Silvie is a very active and entrepreneurial woman, but what immediately struck me was her warmth and welcoming personality. We kept in touch and I found out that she was also a Yoga Instructor. This did not surprise me because her demeanor spoke to it. I gain so much at Yoga sessions I can attend, I asked her how she got interested in it herself, and how she finds inspiration in its practice and teaching. I was touched by her story, which started with recovery and healing, and is now an ongoing journey and a daily practice of compassion and gratitude. I am glad I can feature it here:

Silvie has been suffering from chronic lower back pain since youth. One day at a bookstore, she noticed a book with a name that sounded interesting enough to reach out for it. She found out that yoga could help with her chronic pain. She was determined to pursue the yogic path; however, it was not until she graduated from college and came to the U.S. that she began practicing yoga.

Besides healing her pain, it was the surge of joy, energy, and optimism that made yoga an integral part of her life. She was recovering from depression and through self-awareness she learned to spot depressive thoughts and avoid more episodes. These struggles are now history.

For Silvie, yoga is a form of self-care, just like any other regular check-up. Yoga helps her heal, face her fears and allows her to dance with her breath. Her practice consists of sun salutations with standing poses, handstands and forearm balances. She loves arm balances and is intrigued by backbends. Breathing deeply and sweating is her form of meditation.

Silvie began to study yoga more in-depth because she wanted to develop a regular practice. She shared how much she loves yoga with her friend, an owner of a national business that offers workouts for moms. Her friend told her, “Then you should teach it.” It has been 7 years. Silvie is now one of the senior San Francisco teachers.

It is the process of inquiry and creating meaning that motivates her every day. She does not set limits to her dreams. Achieving feels great, but failing is also a part of the process. She used to have hard time recovering from setbacks, but nowadays she practices self-compassion. As she sees it: “I enjoy the ordinary that is life. I am grateful for all the people who helped me in my life. I learned that gratitude and self-love do not make us lazy. They, in fact, speed up our recovery and prepare us for the growth that is to come.”She believes in practicing gratitude, self-compassion, and seeing the positive in others.

To inspire means to breath in. When we do yoga, we deeply breath in. Inspiration is inherent in the practice; yoga is inspiration. “

By the way:

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Looks like a #apropos kohlrabi for the day :) 💚💜 #valentinesday #veggielove (#nouglyproduce !)

Latest #winter #lunch #salad: a happy #marketfresh melange of colors, flavours and textures that doubles down on the #cruciferous. With #kale, spice roasted Brussels sprouts and butternut squash, pomegranate tendrils, toasted almond and shallot vinaigrette. Great for #meatlessmonday, this is seriously addictive and will make anyone eat their Brussels no doubt. Even #kittens can't help themselves apparently ;). 🌱😺 #notasaddesklunch

Making the most of #winter #farmersmarket #veggies and root/cruciferous combos , with some inspo from @meerasodha (recipe via @guardian ): #vegan (sweet here) potato and cabbage curry for a late #breakfast. Did not have chapatis on hand but nothing that could not be fixed with a corn tortilla brushed with coconut oil and slightly pan toasted :). Anyway this is absolutely moorish. And it can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for a few days too (for those Sunday #mealprep fans :)). In fact it just keeps getting better :)👌🌱 #riseandshine

Quick #lunch at @juicegeneration #nyc and taking a minute to give them a shoutout for selling glass #jars and #metalstraws (from @ecojarz) - been using these ones for some time: they are great quality and it is really not an issue to carry them around. And it is always great to see a business being proactive in offering such products and encouraging #reuse when #plasticwaste and #plasticstraws are such a big problem and threat to marine life and the environment. 👍👏 🐢🐳🐬🐟🐠 #ecofriendly #liquidfuel

That time of year again for #cruciferous galore at the #farmersmarket : beautiful colors and actually not a sad or boring time in the kitchen given all the things one can do with them! :) 💚💜💛 #cruciferousvegetables

This little assortment of #veggies with such a pretty presentation was particularly fitting for #Thanksgiving day in #Kyoto, and a #delish nod to the #Fall bounty. Wishing everyone a #happythanksgiving wherever you are! :) 🍁 #bountiful

When in #Kyoto ... A different kind of #Thanksgivingday this year, but equally delicious and enchanting to all senses. These pickled daikons with sesame seeds were among today's happy finds in #ninenzaka. :) 👌💗 #oichi

Watermelon #breakfast #salad : watermelon, some good crunchy granola with pumpkin seeds, a little feta, thinly sliced jalapeño (of course :)) and some green sauce that ties it all together. A little #chill out in #austintx (!) but could still eat this all day... Nice #foodinspo @paperboyaustin ! 👌🍉#austin #chillin

Normally it would be time for braised red cabbage and apples... But it is still so balmy that a #marketfresh apple and red cabbage #salad it is :) : with red apples and a beautiful red beefheart cabbage from a past #farmersmarket run, walnuts, Thompson raisins; and a lemon and caraway seeds dressing for a little zing and earthiness at the same time. Refreshing dinner ahead and leftovers for #meatlessmonday lunch tomorrow. Gorgeous red colors both days :) 🍎 💜#oneappleaday

Rising and shining with the last #farmersmarket plums of the season and a #breakfast plum, apple and almond torte. A #cake that kinda came together in the kitchen and luckily worked out. :) ☕️💜#breakfastinbed

Found Italian plums! There were some left and plenty of peppery greens at the #farmersmarket yesterday, and so, ending this glorious #Fall day / Oct 1st with this glorious plum, lime and peanut #salad. An inspired #inspo from @guardian #food with all the good stuff: plums and greens, crispy fried shallots, garlic and ginger, fragrant fresh herbs, and some super tasty lime sauce. And peanuts as the name of the salad says :). It happens to be #vegan so if you are, or are #vegetarian, fried or marinated and baked tofu might work well with this. If you aren’t, think grilled or broiled ..., perhaps, and also marinade or some Asian style rub. Or to eat on its own, it’s quite moreish! 💚💜🥗 #saladdays #delish

Always love to see a #local business and #coffeeshop make good #coffee AND good sense :) ☕️💚 #goodcoffee #goodsense @irvingfarm #nationalcoffeeday

This week's fave #farmersmarket snack: Italian plums, sweet with a little tartness and a firm texture, and with such beautiful colors. Good to enjoy the last few days of #summer with, though just came across an interesting recipe using them and now hoping they can be found a little longer! Hopefully more on this soon :) 💜 #lastsummerdays

A little ray of sunshine spotted at the #farmersmarket a few days ago. Thoughts go out to all the folks who have experienced and are recovering from so much in past few weeks, from the #carribean #islands, #florida, #texas, #oregon , #mexico, #southasia and more. 🌼

Grey day late #summer day but #notasaddesklunch with these charred and sweet #marketfresh zucchini! Just sliced, seasoned with oo, salt and pepper and broiled for a few minutes - and served with a tahini and lemon sauce for extra flavor and good measure. And in this case blended canned beans to the sauce (so kinda like a light hummus) to pack more nutrients in. Tasty and filling! ☁️🌱#quickandeasy #veggies #lunch

You were #beloved, and you are so missed. Grateful and lucky to have had you in our lives. 😢💔#RIP #whensomeonegreatisgone (#adoptdontshop)

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